We present a dare for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate the horror genre: Sit down with your loved one and view Together. This independent film success of 2025 has now made its streaming debut via Hulu. At first glance, it might appear like standard body horror, but within Together lies a intense examination about the ways we decide to love one another.
A Directorial Debut Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for a decade. Having wed in real life in 2017, the two stars bring a unique chemistry to their roles, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a enduring union.
The plot starts when Tim and Millie transition from the metropolis to the country for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical story element, of course, but that’s primarily where the cliches cease. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their new home, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim tumble into an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a strange force starts to affect the pair. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The entire film is a methodically building of scares, interspersing bits of fever-dream horrors, gross (but tastefully done) body horror, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). Shanks orchestrates these parts neatly and presents them in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and removed from his network of friends. He dreads the notion of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together avoids making Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
The couple face the type of challenges that are inherent in most partnerships a decade in. At their core, they still love each other. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable feeling of questioning about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of codependency and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism never feels hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could function as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the ending sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply look at your significant other and say, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can undertake today.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
